Several exciting things happening this year. I graduate in May with a doctorate degree from Columbia Seminary. Four years studying postmodernism and Christian faith went by too quickly. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my conversations and studies with Charles Campbell, Barbara Brown Taylor, Walter Brueggemann and many other teachers who help scripture and culture come alive. My [...]

“What we learn from history is that we don’t learn from history.” –Hegel
There are 15-30 million slaves in the world today.
Slaves used for agriculture, sex trade, and industry (tea, coffee, technology).
$15.5 billion dollars is spent on human trafficking and slavery each year.
15,000 are trafficked annually into the United States.
70 percent of all people trafficked internationally [...]

This is a guest post from my friend Brad Crisler. Song-writer extraordinaire, budding archaeologist . . . I value Brad’s friendship and voice in my life. I know he will bless you too.
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I remember the exact moment I knew I wanted to write songs.
It was the summer before I turned 10. I can still hear the [...]

Symbols have great power. Symbols combined with tradition form our identity.
I wear Nike shoes (and gear) because I still associate the symbol with excellence (and Michael Jordan).
Some of you see the Target symbol and get goose-bumps because of your experience with Target and the fact that if you are at Target you don’t have to be [...]

They blend great lyrics with great music (note how I’m using “music”). Some write better lyrics. Some write better music. No one puts them together better.
Energy. Pure unadulterated force of the will. It’s Spirit.
They are rooted in their Irish story while having a passion for all things global.
Longevity. They are in their 5th decade together.
Loyalty. They are in their [...]

I first read this letter at Letters of Note. What physical reaction to do you experience as you read it?
(Source: The Freedmen’s Book; Image: A group of escaped slaves in Virginia in 1862, courtesy of the Library of Congress.)
Dayton, Ohio,
August 7, 1865
To My Old Master, Colonel P.H. Anderson, Big Spring, Tennessee
Sir: I got your letter, and was glad to [...]